Question Number: 23331

Law 14 - Penalty kick 5/18/2010

RE: Club, Select Other

Patrick Faulds of Columbia, South Carolina USA asks...

I just read an online article that indicates the IFAB is issuing a change to Law 14, banning feinting on penalty kicks at the Worl Cup in S. Africa. (see site at http://www.proreferee.com/article/4189)

Is there any indication that this will soon be a rule change we will need to contend with when refereeing USSF matches?

Thanks for the great site!

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Faulds IFAB met on the 17th /18th May and approved some law changes including a change to Law 14 "Feinting in the run-up to take a penalty kick to confuse opponents is permitted, however feinting to kick the ball once the player has completed his run-up is now considered an infringement of Law 14 and an act of unsporting behaviour for which the player must be cautioned." Rule changes are implemented from 1st June

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

This decision by IFAB should be incorporated into the Laws of the Game when they are published for 2010-11. Most times these interpretations are effective July 1, but because of the World Cup it will be effective June 1 - perhaps that date is only for that competition.

It will be interesting to see how 'completed his run-up' is interpreted.

Please note that many referees will not see or hear of this change until they attend a recertification course - and then only if they are paying attention and the referee instructors think it is important.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

USSF usually releases a Supplemental Memorandum after any new decision/changes from the IFAB, around June, for seasons that begin after the effective date, and may provide additional guidance about it.

Unlike most changes, this one likely will be the subject of extensive discussion during the World Cup.

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